Tributes to Wirral Globe founder Aldie Robarts

Described by friends and colleagues as a charismatic man with "a most wonderful positive attitude that inspired and motivated others", Aldham Edward Robarts OBE DL was born in Toronto, Canada on July 29, 1929.

The father of two and grandfather of three had lived in the UK since 1954 and passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, aged 92.

Aldie Robarts. Picture courtesy of Betty Drummond

He set off on the path to founding Wirral Globe in August 1973, interviewing for staff in the lounge of the Adelphi Hotel. Business premises were found at 30 Bold Street, Liverpool.

Pre-launch Aldie gave mis-information stating he planned to launch a free newspaper in Liverpool to be called the Liverpool Advertiser. Rival publishers took pre-emptive action quickly launching their own free newspaper called The Mersey Magnet.

Preparing for the dummy edition of the Liverpool Advertiser, Aldie asked staff to contact local businesses on Wirral and in Liverpool for permission to lift advertisement free of charge.

Then, when the dummy edition came off the press, to everyone's shock, it was not the Liverpool Advertiser, it was the Wirral Sun!

Aldie had no intention of entering Liverpool and had out-foxed the competition.

Within days of launch Aldie was served with an injunction to stop using the name "Sun".

He quickly announced a readers' completion to choose a new name for the title … hence the Wirral Globe was born.

It was one of the first free newspapers in the UK and went on to win more industry awards for excellence than any other free newspaper.

Aldie was pivotal in setting up the Association of Free Newspapers which established the standards and systems for the verification of free distribution.

He sold the title to Reed International in 1988 and remained as chairman and MD until 1990.

He began his newspaper career in 1965 with the Thomson Organisation. Holding executive roles with The Scotsman, Middlesbrough Evening Gazette, Newcastle Journal and Sunday Sun.

In 1970, he became marketing director of Allied Newspapers publishers of The Bangkok Post and Bangkok World with consultancy assignments for the Straits Times in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

He also set up sales and marketing procedure in Tehran for Kayhan Publication until returning to the UK in 1973.

Aldie loved dogs and over the years he owned many dogs that had failed the training to become guide dogs for the blind, an organisation which he supported throughout his life and the pages of Wirral Globe.

He loved to walk, read, and listen to and to play music on his Yamaha organ.

He was very keen on theatre both amateur and professional and was a Life member of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society, director of the Liverpool Playhouse and President of the Birkenhead Operatic Society.

During his busy retirement he also found time for a little golf.

Aldie's abiding principal in life was to "put the money you make back into the community from where it come" Liverpool and Wirral benefitted in may untold ways from his generosity and in particular his belief in good quality education and opportunities for all.

He provided the seed money for two libraries at Liverpool John Moores University: the Aldham Robarts Learning Resource Centre (1994) and the Avril Robarts Learning Resource Centre (1997), named for his wife.

Aldie also served on the board of North East Wales Institue (NEWI) which achieved university status as Glyndwr University in July 2008.

In recognition of his services to eduction he was awarded Honorary Fellowship from Liverpool John Moores University in 1992 (picture, below) and Glyndwr University in 2009.

In 1988, he was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Clwyd by the Queen for services to the National Health Service and in 2015, he was named to the Order of the British Empire (OBE) as "Aldham Edward Robarts, for his services to higher education and to the City of Liverpool". 

He leaves a loving wife Avril, two devoted daughters and son-in-laws and three grandchildren.

Paying tribute, a friend and colleague Betty Drummond, a former tele sales executive, sales manger and managing director at Wirral Globe, said: "I sold the first advertisement in the Wirral Globe.

"It was, 48 years ago this month and I can recall it like it was yesterday and all the good times that were to follow.

Betty with Aldie in later years. Picture: Betty Drumnond

"Like everyone who knew Aldie Robarts I was aware of his many business successes and outstanding achievements.

"However, behind the successful, dynamic and high-powered exterior there was a warm, charismatic man who had the knack of charming everyone he met.

"Aldie was friendly, honourable and sincere in all his business dealings, qualities that came from his heart and were evident in all aspects of his life.

"Aldie also had a most wonderful positive attitude that inspired and motivated others.

"It was contagious and brought out the best in everyone.

"He was friend first and employer second always making sure his staff were well and happy.

"If they needed help he would be there for them not just with financial matters but with his sound advice and good guidance.

"Aldie would take the time to give praise, encouragement and recognition, he took a genuine interest in people and their lives.

"Five minutes with Aldie was tonic and working with him was never dull.

"He was a bundle of fun, he loved to laugh, to tell funny stories and play practical jokes and the Wirral Globe April fool stories were legendary and what trouble he often got us into.

"He was a great man, a joy to know and a pleasure to work with.

"We have lost a legend and as we turn the last page of his life we should follow his lead and rejoice for the good times and the positive impact he had on so many lives.

"RIP Aldie."

Terri McBride, a marketing solutions executive at the Globe, added: "He was an amazing, very kind and charismatic man, and a huge benefactor to many."